Delhi High Court scraps Delhi Police tender for fresh uniforms

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked city police to scrap its tender inviting bids from apparel- making firms to supply new uniforms in view of the upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama in January 2015.

A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and I S Mehta gave the direction after Delhi Police, in a U-turn, informed them that the tender issued on September 17, 2013 will be cancelled as the present petitioner Fashion Fusion cannot be allowed to participate due to allegedly forged documents submitted by it.

"On behalf of the Delhi Police, an officer present in the court has taken instruction from the department and as per it the subject tender of September 17, 2013 shall be cancelled. Fresh tender is invited," the judge noted in its order and disposed of the petition.

It further asked Delhi Police to withdraw its show cause notice issued to the petitioner Fashion Fusion and the agency said it would comply with the direction.

Delhi Police had issued a show cause notice to Fashion Fusion and debarred it from the tender process after mill-owner Mafatlal Industries Ltd said in a representation that it gave no letter certifying that the apparel-making firm had material to supply the uniforms.

A letter or certificate from a mill owner was a mandatory requirement for being considered in the tender process. Mafatlal, which has also participated in the tender, had also alleged Fashion Fusion committed fraud as the letter was not signed by the authorised signatory.

Earlier, Delhi Police had said that it did not wish to scrap the tender as it urgently needed fresh uniforms, especially in view of the visit of the US President next month.

The court was hearing a plea by Fashion Fusion which has contended that it had been providing shirts and trousers to Delhi Police but in this year's tender there was the additional requirement of getting a certificate from a mill-owner that the company has the requisite material.

According to the norms, all policemen from the rank of constables to inspectors, including the station house officers, are entitled to a new pair of shoes and clothes every two years.